Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Launches to Critical Acclaim
Today marks the highly anticipated release of Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, a new side-scrolling action game from The Game Kitchen, the Spanish studio behind the critically acclaimed Blasphemous duology. With the launch imminent, the review embargo has lifted, and critics worldwide have shared their impressions of this new entry in the iconic Ninja Gaiden universe.
The general consensus is overwhelmingly positive. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound boasts an impressive average score of 85 on Metacritic and 87 on OpenCritic, with a strong 91% recommendation rate. Reviewers consistently highlight the game's challenging yet fair gameplay, superb controls, and the diverse abilities of its two protagonists as major strengths. While the game's relatively short length was mentioned by some, and a few felt it lacked a truly unique "spark," these points rarely overshadowed the overall praise.
A Triumphant Return for Ninja Gaiden
Many critics see Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound as a successful revival and a strong nod to the series' roots. Noisy Pixel, which gave the game a perfect 100/100, called it a "triumphant return," praising its dynamic 2D platforming, masterfully designed levels, engaging boss battles, stylish pixel art, and energetic soundtrack. They emphasized its replayability, calling it a must-play for action-platformer fans.
Loot Level Chill rated it 95/100, noting that it "breathed new life into the genre" and reminded them of the series' excellence in the 8-bit era. The fluid controls and consistently engaging combat were particular highlights. TheGamer, with a 90/100 score, went as far as to say it's "one of the best games in the franchise," applauding The Game Kitchen for blending the best elements of past Ninja Gaiden generations with fresh ideas. They even suggested future main series titles would have a tough act to follow.
IGN, also scoring 90/100, found the game incredibly addictive, stating they had difficulty pulling away to write their review. They praised the intricate combat system, calling it "incredibly challenging yet fun." Hardcore Gamer (90/100) hailed it as a "masterful example of a modern 2D platformer," commending its vibrant visuals and epic soundtrack. They believed it would appeal to both long-time fans and newcomers.
Minor Criticisms and Overall Impact
While the praise is high, some reviewers did touch on minor drawbacks. GamesRadar+ (80/100) lauded the "perfect controls and fantastic level design" but wished for more content, feeling the game was "too short." Screen Rant (80/100) appreciated how Ragebound modernizes the classic NES titles while retaining their essence, but noted the absence of online leaderboards or speedrun support, and felt boss fights could be too easy. DualShockers (75/100) found the game "a bit uneven at times," particularly in the latter half, and mentioned an "abrupt difficulty spike" as well as some repetitive platforming sections.
Gamereactor UK (60/100) expressed some disappointment, stating that while Ragebound is a solid game with crisp controls and good bosses, it "lacks a spark" and felt more like a commissioned work than a passion project. They critiqued the soundtrack for lacking variety and the backgrounds for being visually flat.
What This Means for Players
Overall, the critical reception for Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound paints a picture of a strong, challenging, and highly enjoyable side-scrolling action game. Players can expect finely tuned combat, responsive controls, and engaging level design that pushes their skills. The game's vibrant pixel art and energetic audio design seem to be universal highlights. While it might be a shorter experience, its high replayability, driven by challenging gameplay and customization options, suggests it offers significant value.
Fans of classic Ninja Gaiden and demanding 2D action-platformers should find plenty to love here, with many critics calling it a true return to form for the franchise. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound is available on PC (Steam), PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, with Russian text localization. A demo is also available for those who wish to try before they buy.
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